Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are synoptic-scale weather phenomena characterized by filaments of intense water vapor transport in the lower troposphere and are essential to the global hydrological cycle. ARs operate within a broader dynamical environment; their linkages to weather and climate extremes, and their variations in a changing climate, motivate and inform the need for improvements in AR forecasting and observations. Expanding understanding, as well as facilitating emergency response, mitigates socio-economic impacts. Quantifying uncertainty in AR measures—originating from detection methodology, data products, and model biases—is crucial for assessing confidence in process-level and impact-oriented AR analyses and predictions.

This session focuses on ARs, including their observation, development, driving mechanisms, prediction and predictability, dynamical and thermodynamic responses to climate change past and future, linkage with multi-scale climate variability, hydrological impacts, and uncertainty quantification. Abstracts that use data from the Atmospheric River Tracking Method Intercomparison Project, or from AR Reconnaissance projects, are particularly encouraged.

• GC - Global Environmental Change
• H - Hydrology
• NH - Natural Hazards